My Super Bowl: Everson Walls

Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

Everson Walls, New York Giants safety

Super Bowl XXV, January 27, 1991

New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19

On his game day approach:

"I tried to make it as normal as possible, given the situation. You knew things were going to be amazing, win or lose, good or bad. So you had to enjoy the experience. I never go on the first bus, so like normal, I went on the second bus. I didn't want to get there too early, because there was so much tension that you could cut it with a knife. I tried my best to keep it status quo.

Whatever I did throughout the year, that was the same routine. I don't think I'm superstitious, but I don't like to stray too much from the norm. I didn't want to focus too much on thinking about the game. So it was normal stuff, like talking to my guys. And I sure didn't want to watch any sports, in those days before the game. So I'd watch sitcoms and stuff like that. It worked out. Especially for me, just thinking about the way I got there. I was playing with house money my entire career. Nobody ever expected anything from me. So I had the same attitude in that Super Bowl."

On the atmosphere of the game, given the patriotism flowing from the Gulf War:

"That Super Bowl was the shape of things to come. The security was incredible. I think that's the first time they checked bags, and really were concerned about terrorist threats."

On Whitney Houston's performance singing the national anthem:

"It blew me away. It was something that as soon as you heard it, you knew it was something you were going to brag about for the rest of your life. Immediately, I told somebody, 'That's the second-most memorable national anthem ever!' Nothing could top Marvin Gaye's national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game. That's the best one to me. It was so unique. I'm a jazz man, and it had those smooth jazz undertones. But Whitney made her mark, for sure."

On Scott Norwood's missed field goal clinching the victory, and his classic celebration that was Sports Illustrated cover shot:

"I just remember thinking that everybody wanted to blame me for the San Francisco game (the Dallas Cowboys' loss in 1981 NFC title game, won with The Catch, as Dwight Clark soared above Walls). All day, I thought, 'Whatever happens,' they're not going to blame the (stuff) on me.' I played flawless. Everything I did, I had purpose. So whatever happened that day, I was satisfied that I had done my part. On the field goal, I wasn't on the rush side. I was lined up on the defense's left side. I was thinking, 'Don't do anything stupid, like jumping offside.'

When he kicked it, that ball sailed over my head. I knew that did it. Not even Tiger (Woods) could hook that to make it good. I looked over and saw Myron Guyton, and it was like we had a synchronized celebration. We looked like twins, doing the same thing. But the camera just happened to follow me. The happiness was so amazing. I just wanted to jump into the stands. At that point, I think I felt like I could. My whole thing was, 'Take that!' I wanted to erase any stigma from my career, and that was the moment."